Antique Calabrian Majolica Terracotta Wall Mask, 20th Century

Details

Description

A rare and impressive apotropaic wall sculpture depicting an expressive, grotesque male face with a beard, pipe, and typical green … Read more A rare and impressive apotropaic wall sculpture depicting an expressive, grotesque male face with a beard, pipe, and typical green coppola hat, a famous talisman from calabrian folklore designed to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. Handcrafted from heavy polychrome majolica terracotta with a rich lustre glaze in warm, earthy tones, it is an important piece of ethno-anthropological art with a striking visual impact.

details and specifications:

type: wall mask / apotropaic sculpture

subject / origin: traditional grotesque face – folk art of calabria (southern italy)

style: ethnic / folkloric apotropaic

attribution: attributable to calabrian ceramic craftsmanship

materials: polychrome glazed majolica terracotta

period: antique (late 19th century / early 20th century)

dimensions (h x w x d): 52 x 34 x 18 cm

condition:

excellent overall condition. Despite its age and the fragility of the raw material, the majolica surface appears solid, shiny, and well-preserved, free of structural breaks or cracks, maintaining its historical charm and original visual power.

please note that any white areas in the photo shoot are due to reflections from artificial lighting from special spotlights, used to better illuminate the item, which may cause slight color variations in the photograph.

the item is original and is carefully photographed, capturing every detail, highlighting its quality, strengths, and any flaws.

shipping is handled professionally and well-protected with insured shipping. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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